How many times have we heard that little phrase: if it’s not on Instagram, it didn’t happen?
We are hopelessly digitally addicted, documenting every detail of our lives on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, and even the business-oriented LinkedIn. Some of the stuff people post is complete nonsense, and I’ve never posted anything stupid.
Now, if there is no online evidence, an “event” is assumed not to have happened, which is absurd.
And that kind of mindset is really worrying – sometimes it’s good to just enjoy the moment instead of focusing on taking the right snap and uploading it as quickly as possible.
Related:
Experts say exposing yourself too much is a “concern”
Renowned psychiatrist Tanveer Ahmed said: Yahoo Lifestyle The benefits and risks of sharing on social media are multifaceted, and the platforms allow individuals to feel connected, sometimes with large groups of people, and serve as a platform for entertainment and self-expression.
“In the world of social media, oversharing is a common concern and is often characterized by the disclosure of excessive personal information that can expose individuals to negative criticism,” Ahmed said.
I have to admit, there was a time when everyone (including me) was constantly capturing “the moment”, immersed in our phones to art direct, take photos, apply filters, add (witty) captions and upload those amazing moments to platforms.
But why? For whom? Does anyone really care? Or have we become a bunch of narcissists who love likes and comments?
“People who have difficulty regulating their moods are more likely to act impulsively online,” Ahmed said, which could happen through “outbursts, trolling and oversharing.” “It’s essentially an unhealthy coping mechanism,” Ahmed said.
Ironically, we are so busy capturing the moment that we often miss the feeling of being in the moment.
And some of the things on display are totally unnecessary: is it out of boredom, a sense of loneliness, or a cry for praise and recognition that what I’m doing is worthwhile?
“In general, research shows that healthy social media use is one that is partly an extension of one’s existing personality,” Ahmed says. “Really outgoing people are the ones who primarily organize events, whereas socially anxious people tend to post less and scroll more, which can make them feel more self-conscious.”
Why do we share our worst moments online?
I was reading about a young mother who shared a video of her baby crying throughout the entire three-hour flight.
But why did she share it? In the video (which has been viewed 23 million times on TikTok), baby Charlotte is seen crying throughout the flight, leaving her mother Jess in tears and saying she feels utterly devastated by the situation.
“I’ll never see these people again, but it’s OK,” Jess told the baby, before telling the cameras that she thought everyone on the plane hated her.
Another bizarre post came from a bride-to-be who tried to “encourage” her partner of five and a half years to propose marriage. Her strategy, embarrassing as it may be, was to put on a wedding dress so that her husband would get home from work, get down on one knee and propose to her in awe.
Oh no. Well, it looks like that didn’t go as planned, as the man laughed and asked the TikTok user and mother of two, “What the hell is that?”
“Do you like it?” she asked. “It’s not very good, is it?” he replied with a laugh.
Why would she post this sad scenario on social media when it would only make her feel bad and elicit thousands of comments saying she wants him to break up with her?
In another recent TikTok video, a young woman asked if she was a bad friend because she allowed her friend to go out with hair curlers on… the answer seems so simple! But why would anyone share evidence of pranking their friends online? For approval, of course.
Of greatest concern is the impact of the trend on children and young people
The impact of oversharing on social media on younger generations is what really should concern us. Imagine growing up in a world where sharing your worst moments online is considered normal.
Kids and teens are so used to social media now that they often can’t distinguish it from the real world, and that’s really scary.
“They are unlikely to be aware of the long-term risks associated with over-sharing information, such as privacy and exploitation,” Ahmed said.
“They tend to be more impulsive, more influenced by their peers, and less aware of long-term privacy issues.
“Younger teens, especially teen girls, are particularly susceptible to the negative influences of social media.” Evidence suggests that teen girls are especially susceptible to the negative self-comparisons associated with social media and online sharing.
“This includes obvious concerns such as body image.”
Of course, the world is changing and for some people, especially those who work as “influencers” or in other media fields, social media is a big, legitimate, lucrative job.
But let’s be honest, we’re all a little bit narcissistic, and while we love to show off what we’re wearing, what we’re doing, what we’re seeing, who we’re meeting, we also need reality. “Real life” is only a small part of what we see on social media, and it’s usually the more “glamorous” part.
Making the bed, cleaning the toilet, sorting the dishwasher, shoveling dog poop, etc. are cut out because they’re not as glamorous, but that’s what true love is.
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We often capture the best moments that bring us joy and happiness, but that joy should not be diminished because of the time spent on the shoot.
Sometimes things are best left unseen. Perhaps we all need to think more about our personal interactions rather than our permanent posts. External validation is becoming more and more important to many people, but seriously, do a few likes and a few praises really make you feel that much better? I don’t think so.
So is it time to take a breather, step away from the constant recording and just enjoy the moment? I think so.
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